Tool system for adapting a bone plate

ABSTRACT

A tool system for working on a bone plate is described. The tool system includes a first tool and a second tool, used at the same time as the first tool to shorten or bend the bone plate. Each of the two tools includes one or more introduction openings with which in turn one or more blades may be associated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tool system for adapting a bone plate toanatomical conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to atool system having a first tool and a second tool which is used to workon the bone plate at the same time as the first tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In surgical operations such as reconstructions in the region of thelower jaw, implant systems including bone plates are frequently used. Inthe context of a surgical operation of this kind, it is frequentlynecessary to adapt the bone plate to certain anatomical conditions.Adaptations of this kind include, for example, bending and shorteningthe bone plate.

Bending a bone plate may be performed by means of two clamping pincers.In this case, the clamping pincers are placed at two mutually spacedpoints on the bone plate and then moved relative to one another. To cuta bone plate, a pincer with cutting jaws is conventionally used.

The object of the invention is to specify an easily handled tool systemfor working on a bone plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, a tool system for adaptinga bone plate is specified which includes a first tool and a second tool,used at the same time as the first tool to shorten the bone plate. Thefirst tool has a first introduction opening for the bone plate and afirst blade associated with the first introduction opening, and thesecond tool contains a second introduction opening for the bone plateand a second blade associated with the second introduction opening. Atleast one of the two tools includes a closing element which may be movedto and fro between a first position allowing the bone plate to beintroduced into the respective introduction opening and a secondposition in which the bone plate is held in the respective introductionopening such that it cannot come free.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a tool system foradapting a bone plate is proposed which includes a first tool having afirst and a second introduction opening for bone plates, and a secondtool, used at the same time as the first tool to shorten or bend thebone plate. The second tool is provided with at least a thirdintroduction opening for the bone plate. As regards the first tool,associated with the first introduction opening is a first blade, whereasno blade is associated with the second introduction opening. Associatedwith the first introduction opening and the second introduction openingis at least one closing element which, in a cutting position, ensuresthat a bone plate is received in the first introduction opening suchthat it cannot come free and, in a bending position, makes it possibleto receive a bone plate in the second introduction opening such that itcannot come free. The first and the second introduction openings mayhave a common closing element. It is also possible to provide a firstclosing element for the first introduction opening and a separate secondclosing element for the second introduction opening.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a tool system foradapting bone plates is provided which includes a first tool having afirst and a second introduction opening for bone plates, and a secondtool having a third and a fourth introduction opening for bone plates.Associated with the first introduction opening and the thirdintroduction opening is in each case at least one blade, whereas noblade is associated in each case with the second introduction opening orthe third introduction opening. For cutting the bone plate, the boneplate is arranged in the first and third introduction openings, and forbending it is arranged in the second and fourth introduction openings.One or more of the introduction openings may be of closable constructionin order to enable a bone plate which is to be worked on to be receivedsuch that it cannot come free. The two tools are used at the same timewhen shortening or bending the bone plate.

In the described embodiments of the invention, it is possible for ablade to be precisely associated with a particular introduction opening.However, it is also possible for two or more blades to be associatedwith a particular introduction opening. The blade associated with anintroduction opening may delimit the introduction opening in certainsections and, for example, be part of the introduction opening.Additionally or as an alternative thereto, it is possible for a bladewhich allows closing of the introduction opening to be provided. Thus,it is conceivable for a blade to be constructed on that section of theclosing element which is provided for closing a particular introductionopening. If two blades are associated with a particular introductionopening, the first blade may be part of the introduction opening and thesecond blade may be mounted at a section of the closing element providedfor closing this introduction opening.

As regards the shaping of the individual introduction openings, variouspossibilities are available. For example, an individual or a pluralityof introduction openings of a particular tool system may be constructedas a slot-shaped recess in a tool or as a receiving pocket. One or moreof the introduction openings may make it possible for the bone plate tobe received form-fittingly. This may mean, for example with anintroduction opening shaped as a pocket, that the contours of the pocketare adapted to the contours of the bone plate to be worked on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparentfrom the description below of a preferred embodiment, and from thefigures, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a first tool of a tool systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the tool according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C shows a plan view of the tool according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E shows a diagrammatic illustration of the cutting functionalityof the tool according to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a second tool of the tool systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2B shows a plan view of the tool according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a side view of the tool according to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a section along the line A-A in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3A shows the position of the two tools during cutting work on abone plate;

FIG. 3B shows a diagrammatic illustration of the arrangement of theindividual blades according to FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 3C shows the position of the two tools during bending work on abone plate.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention will be explained below by way of example, with referenceto a multi-functional tool system. The tool system includes twoindividual tools which make it possible to both cut and bend a boneplate. However, it is also conceivable to implement the invention with atool system which has only one of these two functionalities.

To distinguish between them, the two tools of the tool system accordingto the invention will be designated below on the one hand as theleft-hand tool and on the other as the right-hand tool. The terms leftand right refer to the fact that the one tool for working on a boneplate is held in the left hand and the other tool is held in the righthand.

In FIGS. 1A to 1E, the left-hand tool 10 of the tool system according tothe invention and its mode of operation are illustrated.

The left-hand tool 10 has a tool handle 12 and a tool head 14 which isconnected to the handle 12 by means of an angled connection member 16.The handle 12 therefore extends obliquely with respect to the tool head14. This state of affairs is visible in particular in FIG. 1C. As willbe explained below, the angled position of the handle 12 in relation tothe tool head 14 makes particularly ergonomic handling of the toolsystem possible.

Made in the region of the tool head 14 are three introduction openings18, 20, 21 for bone plates.

The first introduction opening 18 of the left-hand tool 10 is arrangedon the upper side of the tool head 14. This can be seen particularlyclearly from FIG. 3A. The introduction opening 18 is in the form of apocket and enables a bone plate which is to be worked on to be receivedform-fittingly. To this end, the contour of the introduction opening 18follows the contour of a bone plate to be worked on, and is delimited bytwo mutually spaced arcuate segments (not designated by referencenumerals).

The second introduction opening 20 of the left-hand tool 10 is alsoarranged on the upper side of the tool head 14. The introduction opening20 is in the form of a pocket for form-fittingly receiving a bone plateto be worked on. To this end, the contour of the introduction opening 20follows the contour of a bone plate to be worked on. To be more precise,the introduction opening 20 is delimited by two mutually spaced arcuatesegments 22, 24.

The third introduction opening 21 is a slot-shaped recess with noblades, at the front end of the tool head 14. A bone plate to be workedon is introduced into the introduction opening 21 from the front side ofthe tool head 14 in the direction of the handle 12. The height of theintroduction opening 21 corresponds approximately to the overall heightof a bone plate to be worked on. The introduction opening 21 may forexample be used for bending, as a receiver for a bone plate to be bent.

The left-hand tool 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E has a movableclosing element 26 provided in the region of the tool head 14, in theform of a sliding unit. The closing element 26 constructed on the upperside of the tool head 14 is movable to and fro along the tool head 14between two extreme positions. In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1Ato 1D, the introduction opening 18 remote from the handle 12 is closedby the closing element 26, and the introduction opening 20 towards thehandle 12 is opened for a bone plate to be introduced. If the closingelement is moved out of the position illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1D inthe direction of the handle 12, the introduction opening 18 remote fromthe handle 12 is exposed, and at the same time the introduction opening20 towards the handle 12 is closed and a bone plate received in theintroduction opening 20 is held in this introduction opening 20 suchthat it cannot come free. This corresponds to the position of theclosing element 26 illustrated in FIGS. 1E and 3A. Instead of a singleclosing element 26, a separate closing element could be provided foreach of the two introduction openings 18, 20. It is also conceivable toconstruct the closing element not as a sliding unit but for example as arotary or pivotal element in the manner of a bracket or rocker switch.

As visible in FIG. 1B, the closing element 26 engages in a guide groove28. The guide groove 28 makes it possible to displace the closingelement 26 in guided manner along the tool head 14. The closing element26 is located in a latched position in each of its two extremepositions. To this end, a ball and spring mechanism 30 illustrated inFIG. 1D is provided, which cooperates with two mutually spaced recesses(not indicated in FIG. 1D) on the underside of the closing element 26.

Associated with that introduction opening 20 of the left-hand tool 10towards the handle 12 are a total of two blades 30, 32. The first blade30 is part of the introduction opening 20 and the second blade 32 isconstructed on the underside of the closing element 26, facing the toolhead 14. To be more precise, the first blade 30 is provided in theregion of the bottom of the introduction opening 20, and the secondblade 26 is provided on a section of the closing element 26 closing theintroduction opening 20. By contrast, no blade is associated with theintroduction opening 18 remote from the handle 12. In this case, thatmeans that neither the introduction opening 18 itself nor the section ofthe closing element 26 associated with this introduction opening 18 isprovided with a blade.

FIG. 1E shows diagrammatically how the two blades 30, 32 associated withthe introduction opening 20 cooperate when a bone plate 36 is beingworked on. It is clearly visible that the two blades 30, 32 extendobliquely with respect to one another. This oblique extent of the blades30, 32 makes it easier to work on cutting the bone plate 36. Inconjunction with FIG. 1E, it should be noted that the bone plate 36 maybe held clamped between the two blades 30, 32.

A device 38 for deburring a bone plate which has been shortened by meansof the tool system according to the invention is constructed on theunderside of the tool head 14. The device 38 includes a rough surface 40coated with diamond.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A to 2D, a right-hand tool 42 of the tool systemaccording to the invention will be explained. Like the left-hand tool,the right-hand tool 42 also includes a tool handle 44 and a tool head 46which is connected to the handle 44 by means of an angled connectionmember 48.

The tool head 46 has at its front end remote from the handle 44 anintroduction opening 50 for a bone plate. The introduction opening 50 isin the form of a slot-shaped recess which is delimited by two blades 52,54 extending in a V shape with respect to one another.

On the upper side of the tool head 46 there is a further introductionopening 56 for a bone plate. The introduction opening 56 takes the formof a pocket and corresponds in function and structure to theintroduction opening 18 of the left-hand tool 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1Ato 1D. Thus, the introduction opening 56 also allows the bone plate thatis to be worked on to be received form-fittingly. To this end, twospaced delimiting elements 58, 60 are provided with an arcuate contour.

For the purpose of selectively closing the introduction opening 56, aclosing element 62 in the form of a sliding unit is provided on theupper side of the tool head 46. The sliding unit 62 may be moved to andfro between two extreme positions. In the position illustrated in FIGS.2A to 2D, the sliding unit 62 exposes the introduction opening 56, inother words it allows a bone plate that is to be worked on to beintroduced into the introduction opening 56. The sliding unit 62 can bemoved out of the position illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D into a latchedposition closing the introduction opening 56. This latched position isillustrated for example in FIGS. 3A and 3C. In its latched position, abone plate laid in the introduction opening 56 is held form-fittingly inthe introduction opening 56 such that it cannot come free. In contrastto the slot-shaped introduction opening 50, no blade is associated withthe pocket-shaped introduction opening 56. In this case, that means thatneither the introduction opening 56 itself nor the section of theclosing element 62 associated with this introduction opening 56 isprovided with a blade.

As is visible from FIG. 2D, a ball and spring mechanism 64 is providedin the tool head 46 and, in a position of the closing element 62illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3C, cooperates in latching manner with arecess (not illustrated in the figures) made in the underside of theclosing element 62. The closing element 62 engages in a guide groove 66made in the tool head 46. The guide groove 66 makes it possible todisplace the closing element 62 along the tool head 46 in guided manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the way the two tools 10, 42 cooperatein order to work on the bone plate 36 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the bone plate 36 is a linear bone platehaving a plurality of through openings 70 for securing elements such asbone screws. Laterally, the bone plate 36 has an undulating externalcontour. The pocket-shaped introduction openings 18, 20, 56 of the tools10, 42, described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2D, are constructed, asalready mentioned, for the purpose of form-fittingly receiving the boneplate 36. To this end, the delimitations 22, 24, 58, 60, in the shape ofcircular segments, of the introduction openings 18, 20, 56 are matchedto the shape of the bulges 72 on the bone plate 36 in the region of thethrough openings 70.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the way the bone plate 36 is shortened by means ofthe two tools 10, 42 is illustrated. To this end, the bone plate 36 isfirst laid form-fittingly in the introduction opening 20, which isequipped with the blade 30 and exposed by the closing element 26, of theleft-hand tool 10. Then the closing element 26 is moved out of itsposition illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1D, in which it exposes theintroduction opening 20, into the position according to FIG. 3A. In thisposition of the closing element 26, the introduction opening 20 iscompletely closed and the bone plate 36 is clamped between the blade 30of the introduction opening 20 on the one hand and the blade 32 of theclosing element 26 on the other (see FIG. 3B).

Then the right-hand tool 42 is pushed over the bone plate 36 and at thesame time the bone plate 36 is introduced into the introduction opening50 of the right-hand tool 42, which is equipped with the blades 52, 54.Care is taken to ensure that the tool head 46 of the right-hand tool 42abuts as closely as possible against the adjoining tool head 14 of theleft-hand tool 10. The side wall, on the right in FIG. 3A, of the toolhead 14 of the left-hand tool 10 can to this extent serve as a guideface for pushing the tool head 46 of the right-hand tool 42 onto thebone plate 36. Advantageously, the two tools 10, 42 are pushed onto thebone plate 36 in the region of a neck 74 constructed between twoadjoining through openings 70.

In the position of the two tools 10, 42 illustrated in FIG. 3A, the boneplate 36 is surrounded by the blades, which are four in total, 30, 32,52, 54 in the region of a neck 74, as indicated diagrammatically in FIG.3B. It is clearly visible that each individual one of the blades 30, 32,52, 54 extends obliquely to each of the other is blades 30, 32, 52, 54.

In order to shorten the bone plate 36, the two tools 10, 42 are moved inrotation relative to one another, with the bone plate 36 approximatelyindicating the common axis of rotation of the two tools 10, 42. From anergonomic point of view, it is advantageous that the two tool handles12, 44 extend obliquely with respect to one another, since this makeshandling of the two tools 10, 42 easier when the bone plate 36 is cut.

Following shortening of the bone plate 36 by means of the two tools 10,42, the shortened bone plate 36 may be deburred. To this end, theshortened end of the bone plate 36 is worked on by means of thediamond-coated surface 40 on the underside of the tool head 14.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, bending of the bone plate 36 will beexplained. To bend the bone plate 36, the bone plate 36 is first laid inthe introduction opening 18 of the left-hand tool 10, exposed by theclosing element 26. Then the bone plate 36, which is arrangedform-fittingly in the introduction opening 18, is held in theintroduction opening 18 in a position in which the introduction opening18 is closed (with the bone plate 36 received therein) by a displacementof the closing element 26, such that it cannot come free.

Following this, the bone plate is introduced into the introductionopening 56 of the right-hand tool 42, which is exposed by the closingelement 62. Thereupon the closing element 62 is moved into a positionclosing the introduction opening 58, with the bone plate 36 receivedtherein. The bone plate 36 is now held form-fittingly and such that itcannot come free, both in the introduction opening 18 of the left-handtool 10 and in the introduction opening 56 of the right-hand tool 42.When the bone plate 36 is introduced into the introduction opening 56 ofthe right-hand tool 42, care is taken to ensure that a certain spacingis maintained between the two tool heads 14, 46. This spacing isnecessary to make bending the bone plate 36 possible by means of asuitable relative movement between the two tools 10, 42. The tools 10,42 can be used to bend the bone plate 36 both within the planeestablished by the bone plate 36 and out of this plane.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A tool system for adapting a bone plate, includinga first tool having a first and a second introduction opening for boneplates, wherein a first blade is associated with the first introductionopening, no blade is associated with the second introduction opening,and there being associated with the first introduction opening and thesecond introduction opening at least one closing element which, in acutting position, ensures that a bone plate is received in the firstintroduction opening such that it cannot come free and, in a bendingposition, makes it possible to receive a bone plate in the secondintroduction opening such that it cannot come free; and a second tool,used at the same time as the first tool to shorten or bend the boneplate, with the second tool being provided with at least a thirdintroduction opening for the bone plate.
 17. A system according to claim16, wherein the closing element is common to the first and secondintroduction openings and, in the cutting position of the closingelement, the second introduction opening is exposed for the bone plateto be introduced and, in the bending position, the first introductionopening is exposed for the bone plate to be introduced.
 18. A systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the closing element is a sliding unit.19. A system according to claim 16, wherein a section of the closingelement constructed to close the first introduction opening is providedwith the first blade.
 20. A system according to claim 16, wherein thefirst introduction opening and the second introduction opening are inthe form of pockets for receiving the bone plate, and wherein each ofthe pockets is closable by the closing element.
 21. A system accordingto claim 16, wherein at least one of the two introduction openingsallows the bone plate to be received form-fittingly.
 22. A systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the third introduction opening is arecess in the second tool, provided with at least a second blade.
 23. Asystem according to claim 22, wherein the second tool has a fourthintroduction opening.
 24. A system according to claim 23, wherein, forthe purpose of closing the fourth introduction opening, a furtherclosing element is provided which, in a first position, allows the boneplate to be introduced into the fourth introduction opening and, in asecond position, enables the bone plate to be received in the fourthintroduction opening such that it cannot come free.
 25. A systemaccording to claim 23, wherein the fourth introduction opening isconstructed with no blades and allows the bone plate to be receivedform-fittingly.
 26. A tool system for adapting bone plates, including afirst tool having a first and a second introduction opening for boneplates, with at least one blade being associated with the firstintroduction opening and no blade being associated with the secondintroduction opening, and a second tool, used at the same time as thefirst tool to shorten or bend the bone plate, with the second tool beingprovided with a third and a fourth introduction opening, with at leastone blade being associated with the third introduction opening and thefourth introduction opening being constructed with no blades, and, forcutting, the bone plate being arranged in the first and thirdintroduction openings and, for bending, the bone plate being arranged inthe second and fourth introduction openings.
 27. A system according toclaim 26, wherein at least one of the two tools includes a movableclosing element which, in a cutting position, closes at least one of thefirst introduction opening and the third introduction opening and, in abending position, closes at least one of the second introduction openingand the fourth introduction opening.
 28. A system according to claim 26,wherein the first and the second tools each include a tool head and atool handle, and wherein the introduction opening is in each caseconstructed in the region of the tool head.
 29. A system according toclaim 28, wherein the tool handle of at least one of the two toolsextends at an angle with respect to the tool head.
 30. A systemaccording to claim 26, furthermore including an elongate bone platehaving an undulating lateral contour and having a plurality of throughopenings for securing elements.